Emirates Post has issued a commemorative stamp under the name of
the Arab Reading Challenge and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Global Initiatives, acknowledging the positive impact of the
challenge as the largest cultural and knowledge initiative in the
Arab world. Instilling a culture of reading as a daily practice and
a way of life among the younger generation, the Challenge has grown
to become a round the year knowledge activity for all Arab students
since its inception in 2016.

The new stamps celebrate the success of the Challenge in
creating an integrated community activity through the engagement of
students, schools, families and various components of the society
as well as of libraries and institutions related to culture.
Fostering a relationship based on encouragement and mutual support,
the Arab Reading Challenge aspires to create a society that regards
reading as a valuable practice that contributes to the advancement
of society as a whole.

The new Emirates Post stamp has been released in two designs.
One carries the logo of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global
Initiatives foundation, while the other features the logo of the
Arab Reading Challenge. The three-dirham postage stamps will be
available in post offices across the UAE starting October 30,
2018.

Abdulla Mohammed Alashram, Acting Group CEO, Emirates Post
Group, said: "By issuing these commemorative stamps, we aim to
document the great success of the Arab Reading Challenge and the
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives foundation. This
knowledge-driven project, the largest of its kind in the Arab
world, has played a significant role in establishing the culture of
reading and nurturing a love for knowledge among millions of Arab
students in the Arab world and those living outside it. The
Challenge is set to create generations that are well-informed and
empowered to build a bright future."

Pointing out that Emirates Post aims to issue stamps to mark
distinctive initiatives and special occasions as part of its
strategy to promote cultural and developmental activities, he said:
"Postage stamps are a means of cultural communication and exchange
between people that is transmitted through generations."

He further added: "The Arab Reading Challenge, which has been
widely covered by domestic and international media, has
strengthened the UAE's position as a global leader in launching
knowledge and science exchange initiatives and projects for
development and progress. We have therefore taken a strategic
decision to promote the success of such initiatives by issuing
special commemorative stamps. We hope that through this effort, all
initiatives under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global
Initiatives foundation are not only remembered, but also
highlighted to institutions and people on how a cultural movement
can establish positive values for future generations. "

Najla Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Arab Reading
Challenge, said that the new Emirates Post stamps document the
unprecedented success of the Challenge that witnessed the
participation of 10.5 million students from 44 countries in the
2018 edition.

"Since its inception, the Arab Reading Challenge has succeeded
in achieving tangible results for the participating students in
terms of expanding their perceptions, enhancing their knowledge
base and enabling them to choose their future paths in school,
university and life so that they can be an asset to their
communities and contribute to their country's development based on
the human values and valuable knowledge inculcated from
reading."

The third edition of the Arab Reading Challenge recorded a 25
percent increase in participation over the previous year with 10.5
million students competing to win prizes totaling AED11 million
(more than US$3 million). This year the event had the involvement
of over 86,000 supervisors, while the number of participating
schools rose from 11,000 schools in 2017 to 52,000 in 2018.
Inviting the participation of Arab students living outside the
region for the first time, the Arab Reading Challenge registered a
total of 44 countries in 2018 - up from 16 in the previous
year.